Demand for 'intelligent' motor control soars

Intelligent motor control centres (IMCCs) are gaining market share at the cost of traditional MCCs, new research shows.

According to Frost & Sullivan, critical industries such as oil & gas, mining and water & wastewater are increasingly relying on IMCCs because of their remote diagnostic capabilities and features such as loss detection and predictive maintenance. As such, the market is expected to reach sales of $5.12billion by 2018. Krishna Raman, senior research analyst for Frost & Sullivan, commented: With IMCCs set to play an important role in the future of the market, manufacturers have to focus on rolling out these products. Manufacturers must develop iMCCs that can be easily integrated with other communication networks to allow customers to move to an integrated enterprise ecosystem." In order to succeed globally, Raman says MCC manufacturers should also be able to meet multiple standards such as International Electrotechnical Commission and National Electrical Manufacturers Association. For tier-one companies that have already forayed into new regions, the maintenance of a robust product line and an extensive sales network will be key focus areas. Raman concluded: "Ultimately, high quality, reliable offerings will help establish a strong brand name globally. To achieve this, MCC manufacturers need to possess sound technical skills and a thorough understanding of end-user requirements."